Self-published author Natasha Carter has been raising eyebrows in the world of romantic erotica. She’s one of the few self-published authors who has caught fire with her impressive debut and subsequently has become an inspiration to aspiring authors. In this special interview, readers will get a unique insight into her mindset, as well as Carter’s tips and advice on writing and self-publishing. Get ready for an intimate and revealing conversation with Natasha Carter!
For readers who are totally unfamiliar with your work, who is Natasha Carter? What can people expect when they see that name on the book?
Natasha Carter is a spicy romance and suspense novelist whose stories are fast-paced, unconventional, and have a lot of depth. Although there are many explicit scenes, I use them for character development and there is always a lesson to be learned from one of my books. You can expect a lot of honesty about human nature from a writer with a psychology degree.
Let’s talk about your debut, Unfinished Business. What is it about? How did it come about?
This book was written on a dare. A friend of mine who writes erotica, challenged me to try my hand at the genre. Prior to this I had stuck to non-fiction blogging, personal essays, and poetry. This was intended to be a short writing exercise, but the story wanted to keep going. The main character, Charissa, encounters an old flame she never got over and realizes nothing has changed between them. As she tries to heal her heart, she meets someone new and ends up in a complicated situation that makes her question everything she’s ever believed about love and relationships. This is a book that colors outside the lines and questions current societal norms.
We’re led to believe that you like to write complex characters and put them in narratives that keep the reader hooked. Would this be a fair assessment? If so, could you give us an example of how this manifests in your titles?
Yes, it is. My characters have a lot of depth to them, just like humans. I enjoy showing their flaws and mistakes as they grow and deal with complicated emotions like love, lust, betrayal, and jealousy. As far as titles go, this one has a much deeper meaning that you’ll figure out while you read.
You’ve received a lot of positive reviews for Unfinished Business, what were some of the things you did to give yourself the best chance of capturing the public imagination in regards to marketing?
I worked at building my social media presence and relationships within the writing community first. I’ve been talking about this book since I first began writing it. In a way, I AM my marketing plan. If people like you, they’ll read your work. I worked with my cover
artist to make an attention-grabbing cover that fits perfectly with the story without giving too much away.
What is your relationship like with your beta readers and editor?
My beta readers keep me going. There are times I may have given up on this journey if I didn’t have them in my corner. My editor is wonderful. They give helpful, constructive feedback and suggestions.
What projects are you working on now?
I have 9 books in process, one is in the editing stages. The title is Hidden Obsession, it’s a mystery/suspense thriller with an erotic romance sub-plot and as of now, I plan for it to become a series. My latest project is more of an erotic suspense novel. So far, I hear it keeps you on the edge of your seat with your heart pounding the whole way through.
What has been the most surprising thing about this journey so far?
The whole journey was completely mystifying. Although I’d always dreamed of being a writer, I hadn’t picked up a pen for many years. I finally started in 2019 and every step along this path has been incredible. I never intended to write a book like this, but sometimes the stories choose us.
We love that you wear the indie label like a badge of honour, are there other Indie writers you’re particularly fond of?
All my fellow indie author friends are amazing, we support and encourage each other through all the ups and downs of this shared journey. There are a few that have been particularly impactful, Sean Sweeney, Katy B. Sweet, Billy Manas, and Chris Goodin. I am so grateful to have them in my life. James Fuller and his wife, Nicollet, also deserve a mention for their support and friendship.
Erotica X Filth 